Elmer Brandell

Elmer L. Brandell (September 3, 1897 – March 4, 1958) was an American baseball player who played for the All Nations as a catcher,[3] played for the University of Michigan, and eventually became the team Captain of the Michigan Wolverines baseball team by 1917.[4] In fact, Coach Carl Lundgren announced Brandell was "One of the most valuable men" that he had ever coached, "playing with ability in almost any position on the nine."[7]

Elmer L. Brandell
Catcher
Born: (1894-09-03)September 3, 1894
Anoka, Minnesota
Died: March 4, 1958(1958-03-04) (aged 63)
Chicago, Illinois
Batted: Left Threw: Left
debut
1914, for the All Nations
Last appearance
1925, for the Bertha, MN Fishermen
Teams

During the uncertainty of the War and the 1917 season, it was rumored that Brandell was being scouted by former University of Michigan coach Branch Rickey,[8] and the article went on to say that Brandell was "the best infielder, and hitter Michigan has seen since the days of the versatile (George) Sisler."[8]

Brandell left the Wolverines to play in the minor leagues for the Newark Bears, a Double-A Team in the International League, for at least one year[6] before most baseball players were called off to fight in World War I. Some sources report that Michigan had no season during 1917, others show Brandell was named the Captain, and that he was listed on the roster for that year.

After his stint with the Newark Bears, Brandell followed many of his fellow players into War. He would return from the war and play baseball again, even showing up on the rolls of Philadelphia's national team. On April 2 of 1919, however, he wired Jack Coombs to say he was quitting baseball "for keeps" and would return to his home and a new business opportunity in Anoka, Minnesota.[9]

In the mid-1920s, Brandell eventually found himself catching for his long-time friend from the All Nations baseball team, John Donaldson in 1925 when they both played for a team in Bertha, Minnesota known as the Fishermen.

Personal life

Born and raised in Anoka, Minnesota, Brandell graduated from there in 1912 and went to Carleton College. He later went to the University of Michigan where he played and lettered in both football and baseball. He was also part of the fraternity Lambda Chi Alpha. He received his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Michigan in 1917.

He was a veteran of World War I, however, a Bemidji, Minnesota newspaper outed him as receiving "deferred classification by reason of being already in the Military Service.." The paper went on to call the job a "bomb proof job" and was likely of a clerical nature.[10]

On September 5, 1918, he married Miss Bertha Revolia of Cambridge, Minnesota, at a ceremony in St. Paul.[11]

According to the University records, after playing baseball, he became a sales representative for McLaughlin Gormley King Co. in Minneapolis.

Michigan's Alumnus magazine lists him as the Vice-President of the Cleary Hill Mines Company in Fairbanks, Alaska. He was also at the Gregory Bates Mining Company at Black Hawk, Colorado, in 1936. Newspapers also have him living in Seattle, and in Chicago where he ultimately died.

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References
  1. "Signs With All Nations" Duluth News Tribune, Duluth, MN, August 7, 1914
  2. "Locals Victorious" Little Falls Herald, Little Falls, Minnesota, Friday, May 30, 1919, Page 2, Columns 3 and 4
  3. Omaha World-Herald, September 21, 1914
  4. "2011 University of Michigan Baseball Record Book" Page 8
  5. "Ypsi Works New Stunt But Loses" The Daily Times News, Ann Arbor, MI, Wednesday, May 3, 1916, Page 6, Column 3
  6. "Richmond Men Steal Pan Twice on Bears" The Richmond Times Dispatch, Richmond, VA, Sunday July 8, 1917, Sports Section Page 1, Columns 1 and 2
  7. The MICHIGANENSIAN 20-1916 Pages 74 and 307
  8. "Rickey Hadn't Heard of Brandell's Plan" The Daily Times News, Ann Arbor, MI, Friday, April 27, 1917 Page 6, Column 3
  9. "Michigan Shortstop Out of Baseball; Phils Lose" Washington Times, Washington, DC, Thursday, April 3, 1919, Page 18, Column 5
  10. "Northwest Men in 'Bomb Proof' Jobs: Shown In Report" Bemidji Daily Pioneer, Bemidji, Minnesota, Monday Evening, October 7, 1918, Page 4, Column 1
  11. "Elmer Brandell..." Little Falls Herald, Little Falls, Minnesota, Friday, September 13, 1918, Page 1, Column 1
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